Microbial Contamination of Cyperus esculentus L (Tiger Nuts) Tuber Sold within Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The Microbiological quality of wet and dry tiger nuts sold in five different locations within Calabar Metropolis was analyzed using Standard Microbiological and Bacteriological Techniques. S. aureus, Bacillus sp, Streptococcus sp, E. coli, Pseudomonas, Enterococcus, Proteus and Klebsiella species were microbial strains isolated from dry and wet tiger nut samples. E. coli was the most frequent isolates occurring 8(29.6) followed by Bacillus 6(22.2), Streptococcus and Pseudomonas occurred 3(11.1), S. aureus, Proteus and Klebsiella also had similar % occurrence of 2(7.41) while the least was Enterococcus with 1(3.70). The percentage occurrence of bacterial isolated from wet tiger nut was 14 (28.0) and 13 (26.0) from dry tiger nut. Four locations had similar 6(75.0) rate of isolates compare to Etim Edem Park with 2 (25.0). The general overview concludes that the microbial threshold in the wet tiger nut was higher 14 (28.0) than that of dry tiger nut with 13 (26.0). Association of microbial pathogens with food crops endangers human lives and are keg agent to food related infections and possible outbreaks.